Stitt says Oklahoma is ready to move on to phase 2 of reopening plan; plans to veto 2 budget bills

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Stitt says Oklahoma is ready to move on to phase 2 of reopening plan; plans to veto 2 budget bills

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Updated: 8:40 PM CDT May 11, 2020

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TODAY ON HIS PUSH TO G ALL NURSING HOME RESIDENTS TESTED. EVAN: THE GOVERNOR SAYS WE’RE ABOUT A THIRD OF THE WAY THROUGH TESTING THE RESIDENTS AND EMPLOYEE THEY’RE USING A SALIVA TEST TO GET IT DONE. >> THE SALIVA TEST THAT WE’RE DOING IS 17,500 RESIDENTS INSIDE OUR NURSING HOMES. 24,000 WORKERS OUR GOAL IS TO GET THROUGH A 308 NURSING HOMES BY THE END OF THIS MONTH. EVAN: GOVERNOR STITT SAYS IT’S EASIER FOR AN OLDER PERSON TO DO A SALIVA SAMPLE THAN A SWAB. THIS IS JUST ONE WAY THE STATE IS TRYING TO STOP THE SPREAD IN THESE LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES. THEY’RE ALSO USING THE NATIONAL GUARD TO HELP DEEP CLEAN T BUILDINGS. AT TODAY’S NEWS CONFERENCE, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE PLANS TO VETO PART OF THE BUDGET PASSED BY STATE LAWMAKER THE PANDEMIC IS EXPECT

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Stitt says Oklahoma is ready to move on to phase 2 of reopening plan; plans to veto 2 budget bills

Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Monday that he plans to veto two budget bills and that the state is ready to move on to phase two of the plan to reopen Oklahoma amid the coronavirus pandemic.Stitt made the announcement during a news conference to provide updates on Oklahoma’s COVID-19 response and where he stands on the state budget.Vetoing Two Budget BillsThe governor said he plans to veto House Bills 2741 and 2742, saying the two bills rob pension funds for teachers, law enforcement and firefighters.Although Stitt said he is still working his way through the budget, he will only sign a budget that is right for Oklahoma. He said he has a lot of questions and concerns about the budget, including what areas were cut and what received more funding.State lawmakers previously said Stitt and his office walked away from the table when discussing Oklahoma’s budget plan, but the governor refuted that claim Monday. Stitt claimed he was boxed out of the budget discussions.If Stitt refuses to sign the budget plan, the House and Senate can vote to override his veto because the plan passed with enough votes to do so. Stitt has called this Legislative session contentious and disappointing.The governor has until Wednesday night to sign or veto the budget the state House and Senate passed.Moving On to Phase Two of Oklahoma’s OURS PlanAccording to Stitt, 25,000 coronavirus tests were performed last week – a 50% increase in the number of tests that were conducted the prior week – and the number of cases remained flat.Stitt’s office said there were 676 new cases during the week that ended May 8, during which 25,501 tests were done. During the week that ended May 1, the governor’s office said there were 627 new cases out of 17,030 tests that were performed in Oklahoma.Stitt also said the past week has seen the lowest number of new cases since Oklahoma has been tracking COVID-19 cases in early April. Because of the new data, Stitt said Oklahoma meets the requirement to enter phase two of the state’s Open Up and Recover Safely plan. The plan’s goal was to move on to phase two by May 15.Below is a list of what is included in phase two.Individual GuidanceContinue following safer-at-home guidelines if they are over 65 or part of a vulnerable population.Maintain social distancing from others when in public.Avoid socializing in groups that do not readily allow for appropriate social distancing.Consider resuming non-essential travel.Employer GuidanceClose common areas or enforce social distancing and sanitation protocols.Honor requests of personnel who are members of a vulnerable population for special accommodations.Employers are recommended to implement social distancing protocols, which include proper sanitation and use of protective equipment when interacting with the public.Specific Employer GuidanceOrganized sports activities can reopen and operate under proper social distancing and sanitation protocols.Visits to Senior Care Facilities and Hospitals should still be prohibited.Bars can operate with diminished standing-room occupancy, where applicable and appropriate, and under social distancing and sanitation protocols.Funerals and weddings can resume under social distancing protocols.Children’s nursery areas in places of worship can reopen.According to the Open Up and Recover Safely plan, the state can move on to phase three if hospital and incident rates remain at a manageable level for 14 days. The plan lists June 1 as the start-date goal for phase three. The Open Up and Recover Safely plan can be read in its entirety here.

OKLAHOMA CITY —

Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Monday that he plans to veto two budget bills and that the state is ready to move on to phase two of the plan to reopen Oklahoma amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Stitt made the announcement during a news conference to provide updates on Oklahoma’s COVID-19 response and where he stands on the state budget.

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Vetoing Two Budget Bills

The governor said he plans to veto House Bills 2741 and 2742, saying the two bills rob pension funds for teachers, law enforcement and firefighters.

Although Stitt said he is still working his way through the budget, he will only sign a budget that is right for Oklahoma. He said he has a lot of questions and concerns about the budget, including what areas were cut and what received more funding.

State lawmakers previously said Stitt and his office walked away from the table when discussing Oklahoma’s budget plan, but the governor refuted that claim Monday. Stitt claimed he was boxed out of the budget discussions.

If Stitt refuses to sign the budget plan, the House and Senate can vote to override his veto because the plan passed with enough votes to do so. Stitt has called this Legislative session contentious and disappointing.

The governor has until Wednesday night to sign or veto the budget the state House and Senate passed.

Moving On to Phase Two of Oklahoma’s OURS Plan

According to Stitt, 25,000 coronavirus tests were performed last week – a 50% increase in the number of tests that were conducted the prior week – and the number of cases remained flat.

Stitt’s office said there were 676 new cases during the week that ended May 8, during which 25,501 tests were done. During the week that ended May 1, the governor’s office said there were 627 new cases out of 17,030 tests that were performed in Oklahoma.

Stitt also said the past week has seen the lowest number of new cases since Oklahoma has been tracking COVID-19 cases in early April.

Because of the new data, Stitt said Oklahoma meets the requirement to enter phase two of the state’s Open Up and Recover Safely plan. The plan’s goal was to move on to phase two by May 15.

Below is a list of what is included in phase two.

Individual Guidance

Continue following safer-at-home guidelines if they are over 65 or part of a vulnerable population.

Maintain social distancing from others when in public.

Avoid socializing in groups that do not readily allow for appropriate social distancing.

Consider resuming non-essential travel.

Employer Guidance

Close common areas or enforce social distancing and sanitation protocols.

Honor requests of personnel who are members of a vulnerable population for special accommodations.

Employers are recommended to implement social distancing protocols, which include proper sanitation and use of protective equipment when interacting with the public.

Specific Employer Guidance

Organized sports activities can reopen and operate under proper social distancing and sanitation protocols.

Visits to Senior Care Facilities and Hospitals should still be prohibited.

Bars can operate with diminished standing-room occupancy, where applicable and appropriate, and under social distancing and sanitation protocols.

Funerals and weddings can resume under social distancing protocols.

Children’s nursery areas in places of worship can reopen.

According to the Open Up and Recover Safely plan, the state can move on to phase three if hospital and incident rates remain at a manageable level for 14 days. The plan lists June 1 as the start-date goal for phase three.